Thanks for the tips guys. I'm in Olney so Damascus is no problem at all.

no racer, thats cool, I'll probally go to havre de grace, I plan on geting an early start hopefully 6am or 7am.

I found my next love, a Cannondale Synapse Sport. I was having drive train trouble on this mornings ride (I keep wearing mine out for some reason ;) ) So I stopped in at Light Street for some new parts and it turns out Penny just got back from an advanced bike fitting class, so the short end of all this is I found out that most bike geometries put my rear end too far back (I guess my knees are in the wrong place.) So swapping out the set back seat post with one that was centered made a big difference and essentially is getting me the "feel" that I wanted with the longer cranks.

So back to my "old" bike, Penny did not have any 53 teeth big rings for my bike so back down to a 52. I had to drop the FD down a bit for the smaller ring and what was a contentious SOB FD was back to being a normal bike part, put where it looks like it goes, adjust and the thing works. I have no idea why just one more tooth gives this thing such fits but anyway I am done with trying to push that a bit more.

FWIW I will be riding around the city today, part of the day I will be "chasing" the AVAM's Kinetic Sculpture Race And then the Jones Fall Trail Opening with the Mayor and Senator Ben Cardin

The Synapse looks like a real smart bike. It's got the geometry of a "sport tourer" (my favorite). I wish there were more bikes like this being made. So, what's it gonna be: blue or white?

The Synapse is an awesome bike. I was like "this" close to buying one a couple years ago when I got my road bike.

-D

Nice--FSA 9 speed triple should get you wherever you want.

I ran across an old friend at KSR so I joined up with their sculpture (Rat Rod) for the race after Patterson Park. They were a likely candidate to win the next to last award but I was board waiting for them at Tide Point and there was this lovely breeze so I got my kite out of my bike bag (I usually have kite in there because you never know when one will come in handy) and started to fly it. The Judge came by and gave the float a time bonus that put them in dead middle of the race. So they won the most coveted mediocre award. So it was fun being apart of that.

KSR Pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...f&id=513493075
Bike Month Pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...6&id=513493075

Those interested in Balto city and politics may appreciate the coverage here: http://www.baltimorespokes.org/artic...80504183206495

My one is blue. [Stylized response refers to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAOHhV1EFe4 ]

I agree we need more sport tourer bikes as well as sport commuter bikes. I feel the industry needs to fill in the gap between fast road riding and leisurely trail riding.

I'm planning my own Gettysburg ride, though I don't like Wyman's route up Falls Rd. My route goes up through Greenspring towards Hampstead etc. Probably do this Friday, long weekend rides are tough with kids, little league, etc. Hoping to ride from Quebec City to Albany in early June. Did 700 for April, May will probably be less but June should be heavy miles.

Gettysburg-http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/md/baltimore/155397756

Queen Anne's County here :-)

Welcome to the club. Nice to see another eastern shore rider.

And I must say, as I type this from beautiful downtown Queen Anne, it sure is nice out. Shame I'm working until 6. 8)

Thanks!

I just got back in from a quick ride through the 'suburbs' of Centreville! Hey -- it doesn't get dark until 8..

Looks like there will be a break in the weather Saturday. If anyone is interested in a hilly century, folks from the DC Randonnuers (www.dcrand.org) will be holding the following "training ride":

[Another press release that may be of interest:]
ORIOLES REACH AND JEREMY GUTHRIE TO HOST BIKE TO THE BALLPARK DAY ON SUNDAY, MAY 18

Event held in conjunction with National Bike to Work Day

In conjunction with National Bike to Work Day, OriolesREACH and JEREMY GUTHRIE will celebrate Bike to the Ballpark Day next Sunday, May 18. Fans that bike to that afternoon’s 1:35 p.m. game against the Washington Nationals may purchase upper reserve seats for only $6, a savings of 60% off the regular price.

Bike parking will be available outside of Gate C. Vouchers for the discounted tickets will be available in the bike parking lot. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bike locks.

Guthrie’s support of the program is rooted in his upbringing in the state of Oregon, where cycling is extremely popular. An avid cyclist, Guthrie bikes from his home in the Inner Harbor to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for each home game. Guthrie will also participate in a ceremony for Bike to Work Day at City Hall on Friday, May 16.

National Bike to Work Day is a nationally celebrated day that promotes bicycling as a healthy and safe option for commuting to work.

MEDIA ADVISORY

GUTHRIE TO JOIN BALTIMORE MAYOR SHEILA DIXON FOR

NATIONAL BIKE TO WORK DAY CELEBRATION ON FRIDAY, MAY 16

Jeremy Guthrie will join Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon in celebrating National Bike to Work Day by cycling from the Light Street pavilion to City Hall on Friday, May 16.

Guthrie and Mayor Dixon will begin their commute at 6:45 a.m. at the Light Street pavilion. A ceremony at City Hall will follow at 7:00 a.m.

Guthrie will address attendees at the event, sign autographs and distribute vouchers for an $8 discounted ticket to the Orioles’ game on Sunday for individuals who participate in Bike to Work Day.

Hey all,

I am planning a move from Boston to Maryland. We're looking in the Reisterstown-to-Hampstead corridor.

I've done some cycling there, as we have family in Hanover PA and Reisterstown, but I'm wondering if there are any groups, routes, or other types stuff a guy might want to know about.

Thanks in advance,

Mass

Check out the Baltimore Bike Club at http://www.baltobikeclub.org/

They hold many rides in that area.

You can search for route maps by using one of the following:

www.bikely.com
www.mapmyride.com

For anyone who gave a thought about doing this ride, but got scared off due to the rain, you missed a good one. It was a little soggy at the beginning and we were tentative/cautious on all of the descents while the roads were wet. By the time we stopped for lunch at the Blue Moon Cafe in Shepherstown (WV), the sun started peaking out of the clouds.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...c/DSC00770.jpg I rode my commuter for this ride.

The average amount of climbing on this ride is reported at 7,500ft and my bike computer registered a couple of climbs in the 15-17% range.

The highlight of the day, other than the sun coming out, was the crossing of the railroad bridge in Harper's Ferry descending down the "spiral staircase" (carrying our bikes) to get off of the bridge and down to the C&O Canal towpath (hence, the name of the ride, "Century of the Spiral Staircase).

Attached are pics of the map--the red line is the century route:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/DSC00765.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/DSC00766.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/DSC00767.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/DSC00768.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/DSC00769.jpg

Gaithersburg MD, in Kentlands

Middletown, MD, between Frederick & Hagerstown.

Welcome.

I live right in between Reisterstown and Hampstead. Great riding in this area (IMO). Both for Road and off. Some of the best mountain bike trails are within 20min.

As Noracer said, the Baltimore Bike club is the best bet. They are a pretty sizable club and hold lots of rides in the Northern Baltimore Co area. I should really join them one of these days...

-D

Ummmm... you can join online paying the yearly membership fee via Paypal--in case you didn't know.

Grrr... NoRacer, you are such a tease with these DCRand ride reports. That one looks like a ton of fun. I'm always working saturdays when it seems they have the best rides. I could have done sunday's ride, but it looked pretty slap-dash. (an up/back piece of a 400K fleche). So, I've yet to meet the legendary Chuck and Crista, but I'm sure it will happen soon enough. Nor have I met you either. Keep in touch if you happen to head out for one of their sunday rides. I'd happily carpool.
Meantime, keep the ride reports comin'
-GB

BTW do you have any of the DC Rand centuries mapped online? or as gpx files? I'm always looking for future routes.

Looking forward to meeting you as well, GB.

Cue sheets and some maps, I have, but all in hard copy. I've asked Chuck for some .GPX files of rides that we've ridden together, but he never seems to rememeber to send them.

So, this Sunday afternoon, after some trial and error involving a few "bonus miles" in Patapsco State Park, I *finally* figured out how to get myself on the correct side of the river and U.S. 1 without major white-knuckling . . . so I'm going to start commuting at least a few days a week to Fort Meade. It will be 18 miles one-way, starting from the I-195 Park & Ride, and I'm slow, so there is going to be at least one day a week that, because of early-evening commitments, I just won't have time to bike. (Particularly given how long it's gonna take me to climb up Gun Road, or pass out trying . . . 12%, 15%, 17%, 18% . . :eek:)

I'm really looking forward to it! It will be more of a logistical challenge than it was back in the day, now that I have to actually wear nice clothes and look (somewhat) "professional" at work, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.